Airbus Dominated Deliveries and Boeing Lead in Orders Last Month; Shifts in Transatlantic Travel; and More
Aviation news brief June 16
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May 2023: Airbus Dominates Deliveries, Boeing Leads in Orders
In May 2023, Airbus and Boeing each achieved a different milestone. Airbus, with its recovering supply chain, delivered a year-high of 63 aircraft, including a strong showing from the A320neo aircraft family. Although it only garnered 17 new orders, bringing its year-to-date (YTD) total to 144, the delivery spike indicates a positive trend in its supply chain.
On the other hand, Boeing delivered 50 aircraft, largely dominated by 737 MAX orders, with its YTD delivery standing at 206. Despite manufacturing hitches, Boeing excelled in sales, acquiring orders for 223 aircraft YTD, outperforming Airbus. source
Aircraft Lessors Win Summary Judgement Against India's SpiceJet
Two aircraft lessors have won a summary judgment worth $15 million against Indian carrier SpiceJet, in UK court cases regarding unpaid leases and plane return conditions.
GASL Ireland Leasing was awarded over $8 million and VS MSN around $6 million. Both cases concern Boeing 737 aircraft leased to SpiceJet in unsatisfactory conditions or with significant lease arrears.
The lessors now intend to enforce the judgments through India's National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), joining three other lessors seeking SpiceJet's insolvency. Additionally, three more cases against SpiceJet are currently in process in UK courts. source
Design Improvements Raise Airbus A350F Payload Capacity to 111 Tonnes
Airbus is enhancing the payload capacity of its A350F aircraft from 109 to 111 tonnes, thanks to improvements in design. This will enable airlines to generate more revenue and increase efficiency.
Florent Massou, the head of the widebodies program at Airbus, believes the capacity increase will give the A350F a competitive edge. The freighter, set to service in 2026, will feature a wide main deck cargo door and an advanced material fuselage that ensures weight reduction and improved operational efficiency.
This, along with other features, will lower CO2 emissions and noise impact, aiding in environmental sustainability. source
JetBlue Revamps Its Fleet with Bold New Look
In response to challenges in the airline industry, JetBlue has announced a makeover for its fleet with a new standard livery. The bold, all-blue design aims to reflect the airline's innovative, customer-centric ethos.
The first plane with this new look, an Airbus A321, entered service on June 15. As part of its expansion plans, JetBlue also announced new flights to St. Kitts and Nevis, and Belize City from JFK Airport, as well as other service expansions from various airports. source
Belgium's Mobility Minister Proposes Ban on Short-Haul Flights
Belgian Minister of Mobility, Georges Gilkinet, is pushing for a ban on short-haul flights within Belgium, aimed at reducing the country's carbon footprint.
Given the high CO2 emissions per kilometer on such routes, particularly from private jets, the Minister argues that these flights are unnecessary given the country's extensive rail and road networks. The proposed ban would still allow for emergencies, helicopters, and lighter aircraft.
While the CO2 reduction impact may be small, Gilkinet believes this policy could set an international precedent and help meet the European climate objectives. source
airBaltic Eyes Fleet Expansion with 100 Airbus A220s
airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss shared plans for the airline to potentially operate up to 100 Airbus A220 aircraft. Currently, airBaltic has a confirmed order for 50 Airbus A220s, with discussions in progress to exercise an additional 30 options.
The airline's fleet growth plan till 2030 envisages either 80 or 100 Airbus A220s. The final count will also depend on the availability of a rumored A220-500 stretch variant, the prospects of which Gauss indicated were of interest to airBaltic.
The airline is also considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO) by late 2024 or 2025. source
Shifts in Transatlantic Travel: Fewer Carriers, More Flights
Transatlantic flights between Western Europe and the U.S. have seen a nearly 40% increase over the past decade, reaching a record 111,400 flights for summer 2023, despite the number of airlines operating these routes decreasing from 45 to 37.
The market dominance has shifted towards the "Big Three" US carriers, with a significant expansion from Turkish Airlines. The aircraft types have also evolved, with over 90% of flights now operated by twin-engine aircraft, leading to reduced operating costs and enabling new routes.
Fewer airport pairs are being operated, but the absolute number of scheduled flights has increased. source
Net-Zero Ambition Comes with €820B Price Tag for European Aviation
The European aviation industry is grappling with an estimated €820 billion sustainability expenditure to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as per a study by SEO Amsterdam Economics and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre.
These additional costs are required for investments in new aircraft, infrastructure, alternative aviation fuels, and carbon removal technologies. The expenditure is over and above the €1.1 trillion "business as usual" expenditures anticipated between 2018 and 2050.
The study's findings have raised industry concerns about the viability of achieving net-zero emissions within the specified time frame and the potential impact on competitiveness. source
Qantas Promises More Legroom in Economy for 19-hour Flights
Ahead of its 2025 launch of ultra long-haul flights connecting Sydney to New York and London, Qantas has unveiled features of its economy class, designed to enhance comfort during these 19-hour journeys.
The aircraft, Airbus A350, will have specially designed seats providing more legroom and cabin space. Passengers will also have access to "wellness" zones for exercises and other amenities such as free Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The flights, known as "Project Sunrise", will accommodate fewer passengers than usual to maximize comfort, and have incorporated research on reducing jet lag through food and conditions. source
Hydrogen Propulsion in Aviation: Major Promise, Major Challenges
Hydrogen propulsion is increasingly recognized as a potential solution to achieve net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050. Numerous research programs and alliances are being launched, driven by governmental and regional funding initiatives such as the UK's Jet Zero strategy and the European Union's Hydrogen Strategy.
Major manufacturers and startups are exploring hydrogen-powered aircraft, despite concerns about hydrogen production's environmental impact, green hydrogen's availability, and infrastructural adaptations needed for airports.
Although critics argue that replacing current fleets with hydrogen-powered planes by 2050 is unrealistic, collaborations continue to explore the potential of hydrogen in the aviation industry. source
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